Dispensing can handle



April 5, 1955 w. MACK DISPENSING CAN HANDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1952 FIG.

INVENTOR WILLIAM MACK,

ATTORNEY FIG. 7

April 5, 1955 w. MACK 2,705,580

DISPENSING CAN HANDLE Filed June 9, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

I l 3/ A: h I V 23 INVENTOR WILLIAM MACK BY WcSM ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,705,580 DISPENSING CAN HANDLE William Mack, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application June 9, 1952, Serial No. 292,463 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-475) My invention relates to handles for dispensing cans and more particularly to handles which are multipositional, whereby they may be used for a variety of functions.

In the usual bail handle for fluid containers, a multi positional handle is provided but the same is unsatisfactory for all purposes. For instance, the usual bail handle is attached to the container centrally thereof so that the container will hang vertically when being carried. Also, it is customary to make such a bail handle arcuate on an arc corresponding substantially to that which would be described were the radius of the container used to describe it. Thus, when the bail is swung to a horizontal position, it is closely adjacent the side wall of the container and does not project therebeyond. Thus, when the handle is used in a pouring position adjacent the container side wall, the users knuckles are likely to be damaged by engagement with the top wall of the container. Likewise, when it is desired to hang the container to a nail or hook on a wall, the small radius of the bail handle causes the container to be tilted slightly and generally does not permit a secure connection between the hook and the bail as the pull of the container is angularly outwardly from the wall rather than downwardly and parallel thereto.

In other types of conventional cans, for instance, that disclosed in the patent to W. B. Johnson, No. 2,387,270,

dated October 23, 1945, there is provided three parallel handles along the top whereby the can may be carried by one person gripping the central handle or by two persons each gripping one of the outer handles. This arrangement is very convenient for the purposes specified and also permits ready stacking of the cans. However, the handles there disclosed are substantially useless when the contents of the can are to be dispensed. That is, although Johnsons handles are well suited for transporting the can, they are ill suited for dispensing the can contents or for supporting the can from a hook or the like.

With the foregoing in view, it is a purpose of my invention to provide an improved multipositional handle for a dispensing container.

A further object is to provide an improved multipositional handle for dispensing containers which in one position includes one or more handgrip portions for carrying the container and which in a second position provides a second handgrip portion for supporting the container or for use when pouring from the container.

A further object is to provide in a device such as that last described means whereby said second handgrip portion is located adjacent the plane of a side wall of the container when the handle is in said second position whereby the container may be readily supported from a hook on a wall or the like.

A further object is to provide a multipositional handle for a dispensing container which includes a pair of laterally spaced handgrip portions connected together by a transverse handgrip portion, said handle normally lying along a top Wall of the container in slightly spaced relation thereto but which is movable to a second position in which it projects angularly from said top wall.

A further object is to provide in combination with a dispensing container which includes a pouring spout pivoted to a container wall by a combined valve and pivot so as to be movable from an inoperative position wherein the spout overlies said wall with the valve closed to a pouring position wherein said spout projects beyond said top Wall with the valve open; a multipositional handle for said container which is pivoted to the container for movement to and from a carrying position wherein the handle overlies said wall and a second position wherein said handle projects angularly from said wall; and wherein said handle includes means for releasably retaining said spout in said inoperative position when said handle is in said carrying position.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, the structure of the several elements forming the same, combinations and subcornbinations of such elements, all of which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawings in connection with the following specification, wherein the invention is shown, described, and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container showing the invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the parts in the carrying position;

Figure 3 is a like view showing the parts in the dispensing position;

Figure 4 is a top plan view with the parts of the position of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially on the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 5; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Referring specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters have been used throughout the several views to designate like parts, 10 designates generally a dispensing container having a side wall including a front wall portion 11. While the container has been shown to be rectangular, it is obvious that it could be of cylindrical or any other suitable cross section. The container includes a top wall portion 13 to which is connected suit able dispensing means such as the spout 14. The free end of the spout 14 may be closed by any suitable and readily removable closure cap 15 which may be held in place by any suitable means, not shown. The spout 14 is pivotally connected to the top wall 13 by any suitable combination pivot and valve 16. Such a combination of pivot and valve is well known in the art and customarily operates automatically to close the valve when the spout 14 is in the inoperative position of Figs. 1, 2, and 4 but which automatically opens the valve when the spout is moved to the dispensing position of Fig. 3. The particular combination of pivot and valve forms no part of my invention apart from the combination and because such devices are well known in the art, it is considered to be unnecessary to describe it in detail. For instance, the

combined pivot and spout illustrated in U. S. Patent No. 1,617,992, is illustrative of a satisfactory structure.

The handle according to the invention is generally indicated at 20 and in the preferred form illustrated comprises a substantially U-shaped arrangement having a pair of elongated leg members 21 connected together at one end by a bight or cross piece 22. The opposite ends of the legs 21 may be downwardly directed toprovide the feet 23 which are hingedly connected to the container 10 in any suitable manner as by the pivots generally indicated at 24.

As is readily apparent from Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the handle 20 is movable from a first or carrying position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 to a second position shown in Fig. 3 and illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 1 Moreover, in the embodiment illustrated, it will be noted that the feet 23 engage the top wall 13 when the handle is in the second position to limit movement of the handle in one direction to said second position. Also, when the handle is in the second position it will be noted that it extends angularly from the top wall and lies substantially in an upward projection of the plane of the rear wall 12. It is apparent that with the handle in the second position, the container may be readily supported from a hook or the like projecting from a wall or other vertical support without danger of being dislodged therefrom accidentally because the pull of the container is in a direction substantially parallel to the wall rather than diagonally downwardly and outwardly thereof. It will be noted also that when the parts are in the second position,

the handle 20 may be readily utilized for dispensing the contents of the can. When so used, the bight 22 of the handle provides the handgrip for one hand while the other hand grasps the bottom of the container.

It will be noted also that the feet 23 serve to space the legs 21 of the handle slightly from the top wall 13 when the parts are in the carrying position. With this arrangement, the container may be carried by grasping one leg 21 or, if the container is sufiiciently heavy, the container may be carried by two persons each grasping a leg 21. However, in the particular structure shown, it is obvious that means now to be described must be provided to releasably secure the handle in the carrying position.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, it will be noted that the underside of the bight 22 is provided with a downwardly projecting lug 30, the lower surface of which is adapted to engage the top wall 13 and space the handle therefrom when the parts are in the carrying position. The front face of the lug is provided with a hollow boss 31 which is axially apertured to slidably receive the stem 32 of a latch bolt 33. Lug 30 is formed with an aperture which opens into the hollow boss 31. The latch bolt 33 projects from the rear face of the lug 30 between a pair of buttresses 34 formed on lug 30. Any suitable means such as the coil spring 35 may be provided in the boss 31 to load the latch bolt 33 to the projecting position shown. The outer end of the stem 32 is threadedly or otherwise detachably secured to any suitable handgrip such as the knob 36. The wall of the combined pivot and valve .16 which is opposite to that from which the spout 14 projects, is provided with a'suitable latch keeper 37 best seen in Figs. 5 and 7. To provide automatic engagement of the latch bolt 33 with the latch keeper 37, the undersurface of the latch bolt 33 may be beveled as at 38 While the upper surface of the keeper 37 may be beveled as at 39. Thus, with the spout in the inoperative position, the latch bolt 33 will automatically engage the keeper 37 in a well known manner by merely moving the handle to the carrying position.

As best seen in Figs. 6 and 7, the buttresses 34 are disposed to straddle the latch keeper 37 when the handle is secured in the carrying position. To facilitate this straddling in the event the spout 14 is not exactly in the inoperative position, thelower opposed edges of the buttresses 34 may be beveled as at 40. Thus, the buttresses 34 provide means for retaining the spout 14 in the inoperative position with the valve closed when the handle is in the carrying position. This is an important featureas it provides a positive means for preventing accidental 7 opening of the valve for the spout 14 when the container is being transported. At the same time, the spout is readily released for movement to the dispensing position simply by unlatching the handle and elevating it sufficiently to permit the buttresses 34 to clear the latch keeper 37. The spout 14 may now be swung to the dispensing position.

While I have shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise embodiment shown except .as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing container including dispensing means, the combination with top, front and"rear walls of said container; of a pouring opening formed'in said top wall adjacent said front wall, a combined carrying, pouring and supporting handle for said container, said handle comprising at least One elongated. member normally disposed in a carrying position along said top wall anath m 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein there is provided a second elongated member hingedly connected to said top wall and being substantially identical tosaid first named elongated member and disposed in laterally spaced parallel relation thereto, and said combined pouring and supporting handle portion comprising a cross piece connecting said elongated members together.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein said elongated members and cross piece are so disposed as to provide a substantially U-shaped handle.

4. In a dispensing container having front and rear limits defined byspaced front and rear vertical planes, the combination with a top wall portion of said container which extends between said planes; of a pouring opening formed in said wall portion, a multi-positional handle for said container, said handle comprising at least one elongated handgrip' portion normally disposed in a carrying position along said wall portion longitudinally thereof, a second handgrip portion fixed to said first-named handgrip and extending laterally thereof transversely of said wall portion, said first-named handgrip having a rear end, means pivotally connecting said rear end to said wall portion adjacent said rear plane, said handgrips being swingable upwardly as a unit from said carrying position to a second position wherein said handgrips lie substantially in said rear vertical plane, said second-named handgrip comprising means engageable with a fixed support for suspending said container with said handgrips in said second position, and means for readily releasably securing said handgrips in said carrying position.

5. A container including a top wall portion and a side wall portion, a handle formed of a relatively long leg and a shorter angularly disposed foot, said leg and foot lying in a common vertical plane, said foot having a free end, pivot means pivotally connecting said free end to said top wall portion for pivotal movement in said plane of said leg and foot, said pivot means being located at a point ing a rear end disposed adjacent said rear wall; means fQlf'Er readily releasably securing said member in said carrying position, said rear end comprising a downwardly directed foot, hinge means hingedly connecting said foot to said top wall, said handle being thereby swingably connected to said container for swinging movement to and from said carrying position and a combined pouring and supporting position wherein said elongated member is disposed substantially in an upward projection of the plane of said rear wall, said foot engaging said top wall when in said last named position to limit swinging movement of said handle in one direction to said last named position, and said elongated member including a laterally directed com bined pouring and supporting handle portion.

spaced from said side wall portion a distance approximating the length of said foot, said handle being pivotally movable in said plane from a carrying position wherein said leg overlies said top portion to a second position wherein said foot abuts said top wall portion between said pivot point and said side wall portion while said leg extends upwardly of said top wall portion in substantial alignment with said side wall portion, and means for readily releasably securing said handle in said first named position.

6. vIn a dispensing container having front and rear limits defined by spaced front and rear vertical planes, the combination with a top wall portion of said container which extends between said planes; of a pouring opening formed in said wall portion, a multi-positional handle for said container, said handle comprising at least one elongated handgrip portion normally disposed in a carrying position along said wall portion longitudinally thereof, a second handgrip portion fixed to said first-named handgrip and extending laterally thereof transversely of said wall portion, said first-named handgrip having a rear end, means pivotally connecting said rear end to said wall portion adjacent said rear plane, said handgrips being swingable upwardly as a unit from said carrying position to a second position wherein said handgrips lie substantially in said rear vertical-plane, there being means on said first named handgripportion which engages said wall portion to provide a limit stop and prevent upward swinging movement of said handle beyond said second position, said second-named handgrip comprising means engageable with a fixed support for suspending said container with said handgrips in said second position, and means for readily releasably securing said handgrips in said carrying position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Walker July 31, 

